Home India Ministry of Finance In exercise of the powers conferred by section 128 of the Fi...
Date: 2016-03-18 Category: Extra Ordinary State: Union Government Country: India

In exercise of the powers conferred by section 128 of the Finance Act 2015 20 of 2015 the Government hereby makes the following rules

Issued by Ministry of Finance · Department of Economic Affairs

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Executive Summary & Key Takeaways

Executive Summary: This document outlines the Senior Citizens Welfare Fund Rules, 2016, established by the Central Government under Section 128 of the Finance Act, 2015, to promote the welfare of senior citizens. It details the fund's administration, including the transfer of unclaimed amounts to the fund, its utilization, and the responsibilities of various institutions. Institutions must transfer unclaimed amounts to the Fund within one year from the date of notification of these rules. Key Points / Main Content: * **Establishment and Purpose of the Fund:** * The Central Government establishes the Senior Citizens Welfare Fund to promote the welfare of senior citizens. * The Fund will be an interest-bearing account in the Public Account of the Union of India, administered by a Committee. * **Fund Contributions:** * Institutions must transfer unclaimed amounts from various savings schemes and accounts to the Fund, including: * Small savings and other savings schemes of the Central Government. * Public Provident Funds. * Employees Provident Fund. * Institutions must prepare lists of unclaimed amounts and notify the public. * Transfers to the Fund must be made within one year of the notification date of these rules, with possible extensions granted by the Ministry of Finance. * Transfers are to be made on a net basis (unclaimed deposits minus accepted claims). * Institutions must identify unclaimed amounts annually and transfer them by March 1st each year. * **Administration of the Fund:** * The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is the nodal ministry for the Fund's administration. * A Committee will administer the Fund, comprising: * Secretary, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (Chairperson). * Officials from various ministries (Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Ministry of Rural Development, Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation, Ministry of Labour and Employment). * Financial Advisor, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. * Joint Secretary, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (Member Secretary). * The Committee must meet at least twice a year to decide on the utilization of the Fund. * The Committee provides Ministry-wise budgetary allocation details to the Ministry of Finance. * **Fund Utilization:** * The Fund is utilized for schemes promoting the welfare of senior citizens, aligned with national policies. * Eligible schemes include those related to: * Financial security. * Healthcare and nutrition. * Welfare of elderly widows. * Old age homes and day care. * Education and information. * Research on aging. * Sponsoring ministries are responsible for scheme processing, monitoring, and implementation. * **Transparency and Reporting:** * Institutions must publish information on accounts with unclaimed deposits. * Institutions must contact account holders of unclaimed amounts. * Institutions must display lists of unclaimed amounts for public information. * The nodal Ministry must prepare an annual report by May 1st each year, including activities undertaken, schemes approved, and financial details. Impact Analysis: * **Institutions (e.g., Banks, Post Offices, Provident Fund Organizations):** * *Impact:* Required to identify, report, and transfer unclaimed funds to the Senior Citizens Welfare Fund. They must also notify and attempt to contact account holders. * *Action Required:* Establish procedures to identify unclaimed amounts, prepare required lists, notify the public and account holders, and transfer funds to the Senior Citizens Welfare Fund within the stipulated timeframes. * **Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment:** * *Impact:* Serves as the nodal ministry for the Fund's administration, including establishing a secretariat, forming a committee, and overseeing fund utilization. * *Action Required:* Establish the Fund's secretariat, form the administrative committee, develop guidelines for fund utilization, and prepare annual reports on fund activities. * **Central Government (Ministry of Finance):** * *Impact:* Responsible for determining and notifying the interest rate for the Fund annually and for making budgetary allocations to various ministries for schemes benefiting senior citizens. * *Action Required:* Determine and notify the annual interest rate for the Fund, and allocate funds to ministries based on the Committee's recommendations, ensuring the Fund's perpetuity. * **Senior Citizens:** * *Impact:* Intended beneficiaries of the Fund, which supports schemes promoting their financial security, healthcare, welfare, education, and access to information. * *Action Required:* No direct action required, but should be aware of the schemes and programs supported by the Fund and how to access them.

Key Entities Referenced

Finance Act, 2015: An act of the Government of India referred to as 'the Act' in the policy document, specifically section 128 and chapter VII. Senior Citizens Welfare Fund: A fund established by the Central Government for promoting the welfare of senior citizens. Public Account of the Union of India: The location where the Senior Citizens Welfare Fund will be held as an interest bearing account. Employees Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952: An act related to Employees Provident Fund, accounts of which may be transferred to the Senior Citizens Welfare Fund. Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment: The nodal ministry for the administration of the Senior Citizens Welfare Fund. Department of Financial Services: A department of the Government of India, represented on the committee administering the Senior Citizens Welfare Fund. Ministry of Finance: A ministry of the Government of India involved in determining interest rates and budgetary allocations for the Senior Citizens Welfare Fund. National Policy on Older Persons: A national policy aligned with the schemes for the promotion of the welfare of Senior citizens
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jftLVªh laö Mhö ,yö&33004@99 REGD. NO. D. L.-33004/99 vlk/kj.k EXTRAORDINARY Hkkx II—[k.M 3—mi&[k.M (i) PART II—Section 3—Sub-section (i) izkf/dkj ls izdkf'kr PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY la- 180] ubZ fnYyh] 'kqØokj] ekpZ 18] 2016@iQkYxqu 28] 1937 No. 180] NEW DELHI, FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 2016/PHALGUNA 28, 1937 ििििवववव(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:3) मममम(cid:7)(cid:7)ंं(cid:7)(cid:7)ंं ााााललललयययय ((((आआआआ(cid:13)(cid:13)(cid:13)(cid:13)थथथथकककक ककककाााायययय (cid:16)(cid:16) (cid:16)(cid:16)ििििववववभभभभाााागगगग)))) अअअअििििधधधधससससचचूूचचूू ननननाााा नई (cid:4)द(cid:6)ली, 18 माच,(cid:13) 2016 ससससाााा....ककककाााा....ििििनननन.... 333322222222((((अअअअ))))....————सरकार, िव(cid:19) िवधेयक, 2015, 2015 का 20 क(cid:27) धारा 128 (cid:29)ारा (cid:30)द(cid:19) शि य! का (cid:30)योग करते %ए, िन’िलिखत िनयम बनाती ह,ै अथा(cid:13)त ् :— 1. संि/0 नाम, िव1त ार और (cid:30)ार3भ- 1. (1) इन िनयम! का संि/7त नाम व8र9 नाग8रक क(cid:6)याण िनिध िनयम, 2016 ह।ै (2) य ेराजप@ मA इनके (cid:30)काशन क(cid:27) तारीख को (cid:30)वृ(cid:19) ह!ग।े 2222.... पपपप(cid:23)(cid:23)(cid:23)(cid:23)ररररभभभभााााषषषषााााएएएए--ंं--ंं (1) इन िनयम! म,A जब तक (cid:4)क संदभ (cid:13)स ेअC यथा अपेि/त न हो,— (क) 'अिधिनयम' स ेिव(cid:19) िवधेयक, 2015 अिभ(cid:30)ेत ह,ै (ख) 'सरकार' स ेभारत सरकार अिभ(cid:30)ेत ह,ै (2) उन शEद ! और पद! के, जो इसम A(cid:30)युGत ह Hप8रभािषत नहJ ह,H वही अथ (cid:13)ह!ग ेउस अिधिनयम म Aह।H 3333.... ििििननननििििधधधध (cid:30)(cid:30)(cid:30)(cid:30)थथथथााााििििपपपपतततत ककककररररननननाााा———— (1) केCKीय सरकार व8र9 नाग8रक! के क(cid:6)याण को बढ़ावा दने े और अिधिनयम के अMयाय 7 मA यथा िविनOदP अCय (cid:30)योजन! के िलए िनिध 1थािपत करती ह ैिजसे व8र9 नाग8रक क(cid:6)याण िनिध कहा जाएगा। (2) व8र9 नाग8रक क(cid:6)याण िनिध भारत संघ के लोक लेखा मA सEयाज खाता होगा और यह सिमित (cid:29)ारा (cid:30)शािसत होगा। 1365 GI/2016 (1)2 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART II—SEC. 3(i)] (3) (cid:30)Rयके सं1था िन’िलिखत 1क(cid:27)म! के तहत दावा न क(cid:27) गई रािशय! को िनिध म Aअंत8रत करेगी, अथा(cid:13)त— (क) डाकघर बचत खात,े डाकघर आवतU जमा खाते, डाकघर साविध जमा खाते, डाकघर मािसक आय खाते, व8रP नाग8रक बचत 1क (cid:27)म खात,े (cid:4)कसान िवकास प@, राVीय बचत प@ (सभी िनग(cid:13)म), सकु Cया समृिW खाते और बंद कर दी गई अ(cid:6)प बचत 1क (cid:27)म X सिहत केCKीय सरकार क(cid:27) अ(cid:6)प बचत और अCय बचत 1 क(cid:27)म A। (ख) संबंिधत सं1थाX (cid:29)ारा अनुरि/त लोक भिवYय िनिध 1क (cid:27)म, 1968 के तहत लोक भिवYय िनिध के खात;े और (ग) कम(cid:13)चारी भिवYय िनिध और (cid:30)क(cid:27)ण (cid:13)उपबंध अिधिनयम, 1952 के अधीन कम(cid:13)चारी भिवYय िनिध के खाते। (4) (cid:30)Rयके सं1था खाते मA दावा न क(cid:27) गई जमा रािशय! के तौर पर दावा न क(cid:27) गई रािशय! क(cid:27) सूची तैयार करेगी और िनयम 7 के तहत (cid:30)द(cid:19) तरीके स ेजनता के िलए अिधसिू चत करेगा। (5) उपिनयम (2) मA िनOदYट दावा न क(cid:27) गई सभी रािशय! को सं1था (cid:29)ारा इन िनयम! के राजप@ म A अिभसिू चत (cid:4)कए जान े क(cid:27) तारीख से 1 वष(cid:13) के भीतर िनिध मA अंत8रत (cid:4)कया जाएगा: परंतु इस तरह िविनOदP अविध को सं1था (cid:29)ारा समय मA बढ़ो(cid:19)री करने के िलए अनुरोध (cid:4)कए जाने पर ऐसी अविध अथवा अविधय! तक बढ़ाया जा सकता, जसै ा िव(cid:19) म@ं ालय म AकेCKीय सरकार उिचत समझती ह।ै (6) सं1था दावा न क(cid:27) गई रािशय! क(cid:27) वाbषक आधार पर पहचान करेगी और इCह A (cid:30)Rयेक वष(cid:13) 1 माच(cid:13) अथवा उससे पहले िनिध मA अंत8रत करेगी। (7) सं1था (cid:29)ारा अतं रण िनवल आधार पर, अथात(cid:13) दावा क(cid:27) गई रािशय! को घटा उन खात! के संबंध मA उस समय लागू कानून के अनसु ार 1वीकृत दाव! से घटकाकर (cid:4)कए, जाएंगे िजनक(cid:27) शषे धनरािश पहल ेही िनिध म Aअतं 8रत क(cid:27) जा चकु (cid:27) ह।ै 4444.... ििििननननििििधधधध ककककाााा !!!!शशशशााााससससनननन (1) िनिध के (cid:30)शासन के िलए नोडल मं@ालय, सामािजक Cयाय और अिधका8रता मं@ालय होगा। (2) िनिध का सिचवालय सामािजक Cयाय और अिधका8रता म@ं ालय मA अवि1थत होगा। (3) िनिध का (cid:30)शासन एक सिमित (cid:29)ारा (cid:4)कया जाएगा िजसम Aिनि’िलिखत स3 मिलत ह!गे।- (क) सामािजक Cयाय और अिधका8रता मं@ालय म Aसिचव जो पदने अMय/ ह!गे; (ख) िव(cid:19)ीय सेवा िवभाग (cid:29)ारा नािमत भारत सरकार के कम स ेकम उपसिचव पंिG त का अिधकारी -सद1य; (ग) 1वा1cय और प8रवार क(cid:6)याण म@ं ालय (cid:29)ारा नािमत भारत सरकार के कम स े कम उपसिचव पंिG त का अिधकारी -सद1य; (घ) dामीण िवकास मं@ालय (cid:29)ारा नािमत भारत सरकार के कम स ेकम उपसिचव पिं Gत का अिधकारी -सद1य; (ङ) आवास और शहरी गरीबी उपशमन मं@ालय (cid:29)ारा नािमत भारत सरकार के कम से कम उपसिचव पिं G त का अिधकारी -सद1य; (च) eम और रोजगार मं@ालय (cid:29)ारा नािमत भारत सरकार के कम से कम उपसिचव पंिGत का अिधकारी -सद1य; (छ) (cid:30)1ताव को (cid:30)ायोिजत करन ेवाले मं@ालय (cid:29)ारा और िविनOदYट (cid:30)1ताव स ेसंबंिधत अCय मं@ालय! (cid:29)ारा नािमत भारत सरकार के कम स ेकम उपसिचव रHक का अिधकारी -सद1य; (ज) िव(cid:19)ीय सलाहकार, सामािजक Cयाय और अिधका8रता म@ं ालय। (झ) सामािजक Cयाय और अिधका8रता मं@ालय (cid:29)ारा नािमत भारत सरकार के कम स े कम उपसिचव पिं Gत का अिधकारी-सद1य सिचव; (4) सिमित क(cid:27) एक वष (cid:13)मA कम से कम दो बैठकA आयोिजत क(cid:27) जाएंगी।¹Hkkx IIµ[k.M 3(i)º Hkkjr dk jkti=k % vlk/kj.k 3 (5) सिमित िनयम 6 मA िविनOदP (cid:30)योजन! के िलए िनिध मA रािश क(cid:27) उपयोिगता के संबधं म Aिनण(cid:13)य लेगी। (6) सिमित िव(cid:19) मं@ालय मA केCKीय सरकार को आगामी िव(cid:19)ीय वषg के िलए अपेि/त बजटीय आवंटन का मं@ालय-वार Eयौरा (cid:30)दान करेगी: परंत ुिव(cid:19) मं@ालय (cid:29)ारा आवंटन (cid:30)ािधकृत (cid:30)योजन! के िलए और िनिध क(cid:27) िनरंतरता सिु नh चत करन े के िलए (cid:30)ाGक िलत और अवशोषी /मता को Mयान मA रखते %ए (cid:4)कए जाएंगे। (7) सिमित अपन े कायg के सचं ालन के िलए इन िनयम! के तहत (cid:30)द(cid:19) (cid:4)कसी भी बात के अलावा अथवा भदे -भाव (cid:4)कए िबना अपनी काय(cid:13) िनयम िविनयिमत करेगी। 5555.... %%%%ययययााााजजजज कककक’’’’ ददददरररर िव(cid:19) मं@ालय म A भारत सरकार (cid:29)ारा अिधिनयम क(cid:27) धारा 124 क(cid:27) उपधारा (5) के तहत िनिध म A जमा धनरािश के िलए उपयुGत Eयाज दर वाbषक आधार पर अवधा8रत और अिधसिू चत क(cid:27) जाएंगी। 6666.... ििििननननििििधधधध ककककाााा उउउउपपपपययययोोोोगगगग (1) िनिध का उपयोग, राVीय वृW iि नीित और राVीय व8र9 नाग8रक नीित के अनसु ार व8र9 नाग8रक! के क(cid:6)याण को बढ़ावा देन ेके िलए ऐसी 1क (cid:27)म X के िलए (cid:4)कया जाएगा। (2) उपिनयम (1) मA उि(cid:6)ल िखत 1क (cid:27)म X म Aये शािमल ह!गे- (क) वृWाव1था पAशन, दीघाि(cid:13) धक बचत िलखत! और आय सजृ न करने वाली गितविधय! म A रोजगार सिहत jकतु केवल इCहJ तक सीिमत नहJ, व8र9 नाग8रक िव(cid:19)ीय सुर/ा को बढ़ावा दने े के िलए 1 क(cid:27)म;A (ख) वहनीय 1वा1cय दखे -रेख काय(cid:13)kम!, मानिसक 1वा1cय सवे ाX, पोषण िश/ा कायk(cid:13) म! और व8र9 नाग8रक! क(cid:27) 1वा1cय दखे -रेख मA (cid:30)िश/ण एवं उCमखु ीकरण, सिहत jकतु केवल इCहJ तक सीिमत नहJ, व8र9 नाग8रक! के 1वा1cय दखे भाल और पोषण को बढ़ावा दने ेके िलए 1क (cid:27)म;A (ग) वृW िवधवाX के क(cid:6)याण को बढ़ावा दने ेके िलए 1 क(cid:27)म;A (घ) वृWाeम!, अ(cid:6)पावास गृह! और व8र9 नाग8रक (cid:4)दवस दखे भाल केCK स ेसंबंिधत 1 क(cid:27)म;A (ड.) व8र9 नाग8रक! क(cid:27) िश/ा (cid:30)िश/ण और सूचना क(cid:27) जmरत! स ेसंबंिधत 1क (cid:27)म;A (च) व8र9 नाग8रक! के संबंध म AवृWाव1था और सूचना (cid:30)णािलय! से सबं ंिधत शोध संबंधी 1क (cid:27)म;A (छ) सिमित के अनमु ोदन से कोई अCय 1क (cid:27)म। (3) (cid:30)ायोजक मं@ालय अथवा सरकारी िवभाग अथवा संबिं धत राoय सरकार 1 क(cid:27)म के (cid:30)(cid:4)kयाRम क, इसक(cid:27) िनगरानी एवं काया(cid:13)Cवयन के िलए उ(cid:19)रदायी होगा: परंत ुव8र9 नाग8रक! के लाभाथ(cid:13) आगामी क(cid:27) गई लागत! के िह1से को ही िनिध के लाभ से िव(cid:19)पोिषत (cid:4)कया जाएगा। (4) सिमित, इन िनयम! के तहत व8र9 नाग8रक! के क(cid:6)याण के िलए (cid:4)कसी 1 क(cid:27)म के कायाC(cid:13) वयन के िलए िव1तृत (cid:4)दशािनदशp जारी कर सकेगी। 7777.... ससससचचूूचचूू ननननाााा ककककाााा !!!!ककककााााशशशशनननन (1) (cid:30)Rयेक सं1था, इस िनयम के अधीन उपबिं धत रीित-िविध दावा न क(cid:27) रािश को िनिध मA िन/ेप करने से पहले उन खात! स े संबंिधत सूचना (cid:30)कािशत करेगी िजनमA दावा न क(cid:27) गई जमारािशया ंपड़ी ह।H (2) सं1था, दावा न क(cid:27) गई रािशय! क(cid:27) पहचान करेगी और (cid:30)Rयेक िव(cid:19) वष (cid:13)30 िसत3बर तक दावा न क(cid:27) गई रािश के िववरण वाल ेखात! क(cid:27) सूची तैयार करेगी। (3) सं1था साठ (cid:4)दन क(cid:27) समयाविध के भीतर कम से कम दो बार िलिखत नो8टस, ई-मले और टेलीफोन सिहत संचार के सभी उपयुGत माMयम! (cid:29)ारा दावा न क(cid:27) गई रािश के (cid:30)Rयके खाता धारक से संपक(cid:13) बनाने क(cid:27) कोिशश करेगी।4 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART II—SEC. 3(i)] (4) सं1था, जनता क(cid:27) साधारण सूचना के िलए उपिनयम (2) के अधीन तैयार सूची ससु ंगत कायाल(cid:13) य! के नो8टस बोड (cid:13)पर और संबंिधत सं1था क(cid:27) वेबसाइट पर कम से कम साठ (cid:4)दन तक, दावे य(cid:4)द कोई हो, आमंि@त करने के िलए सचू ी (cid:30)दbशत करेगी। 8888.... ववववाााा(cid:13)(cid:13)(cid:13)(cid:13)षषषषकककक (cid:23)(cid:23)(cid:23)(cid:23)ररररपपपपोोोोटटटट(cid:16) (cid:16) (cid:16) (cid:16) (1) नोडल मं@ालय, िनयम 4 मA िनOदYट , िवगत िव(cid:19)ीय वष(cid:13) मA (cid:4)कए गए काय(cid:13)कलाप! के िलए (cid:30)Rयेक वष (cid:13) मई क(cid:27) पहली तारीख तक वाbषक 8रपोट(cid:13) तैयार करेगा। (2) नोडल मं@ालय, वाbषक 8रपोट(cid:13) तैयार करन े के बाद एक मास के भीतर सिमित (cid:29)ारा वाbषक 8रपोट(cid:13) के अनमु ोदन क(cid:27) iव1था करेगा। (3) इस वाbषक 8रपोट(cid:13) म A सिमित (cid:29)ारा (cid:4)कए गए (cid:4)kयाकलाप!, िनिधयन हते ु अनमु ो(cid:4)दत 1 क(cid:27)म और सिमित के (cid:30)मुख िनणय(cid:13) , अनमु ोदन के िलए लि3बत 1क (cid:27)म! और िनिध म A(cid:30)R यय क(cid:27) गई और इसस ेिवकलन धनरािशय! का िववरण शािमल होगा। (4) सिमित, वाbषक 8रपोट(cid:13) तैयार करन ेके िलए िव1तृत (cid:4)दशािनदशp जारी कर सकेगी। (5) नोडल मं@ालय, अिधिनयम क(cid:27) धारा 127 क(cid:27) उपधारा (3) के अधीन वाbषक 8रपोट(cid:13) ससं द के सम/ (cid:30)1तुत (cid:4)कए जान े के बाद इस ेमं@ालय (cid:4)क वेवसाईट पर उपलEध कराएगा। [फा. सं.13/20/2014-एनएस.II] (cid:30)शातं गोयल, संयु सिचव MINISTRY OF FINANCE (Department of Economic Affairs) NOTIFICATION New Delhi, the 18th March, 2016 G.S.R. 322(E).—In exercise of the powers conferred by section 128 of the Finance Act, 2015, 20 of 2015 the Government hereby makes the following rules, namely:— 1. Short title, extent and commencement.— (1) These rules may be called Senior Citizens’ Welfare Fund Rules, 2016. (2) They shall come into force from the date of their publication in the Official Gazette. 2. Definitions.- (1) In these rules, unless the context otherwise requires,— (a) “Act” means the Finance Act, 2015. (b) “Government” means the Government of India. (2) Words and expressions used in these rules and not defined but defined in the Act shall have the meanings respectively assigned to them in the Act. 3. Establishment of Fund.— (1) The Central Government hereby establishes a Fund to be called the Senior Citizens Welfare Fund for promoting the welfare of the Senior Citizens and for such other purposes as specified in Chapter VII of the Act. (2) The Senior Citizens Welfare Fund shall be an interest bearing account in the Public Account of the Union of India and shall be administered by the Committee. (3) Every institution shall transfer the unclaimed amounts, including those under the following schemes, to the Fund namely:- (a) Small savings and other savings schemes of the Central Government including the Post Office Savings Accounts, Post Office Recurring Deposit Accounts, Post Office Time Deposit Accounts,¹Hkkx IIµ[k.M 3(i)º Hkkjr dk jkti=k % vlk/kj.k 5 Post Office Monthly Income Accounts, Senior Citizens’ Savings Scheme Accounts, Kisan Vikas Patras, National Savings Certificates (all issues), Sukanya Samriddhi Accounts and discontinued Small Savings Schemes; (b) Accounts of Public Provident Funds under the Public Provident Fund Scheme, 1968 maintained by the Institutions concerned; and (c) Accounts of Employees’ Provident Fund under the Employees’ Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952. (4) Every Institution shall prepare list of unclaimed amounts lying as unclaimed deposits in the accounts and notify to the public in the manner provided under rule 7. (5) All unclaimed amounts, referred to in sub-rule (2), shall be transferred by the institution to the Fund within one year from the date of notification of these rules in the Official Gazette: Provided that the period so specified may be extended by such further period or periods, as the Central Government in the Ministry of Finance may deem fit, on a request for grant of such extension by the institution. (6) The Institution shall identify the unclaimed amounts on annual basis and make transfers to the Fund on or before the 1st day of March, each year. (7) The transfers by the Institutions shall be made on a net basis, namely, the unclaimed deposits minus the claims accepted in accordance with the law for the time being in force, of the accounts whose balances have already been transferred to the Fund. 4. Administration of Fund.— (1) The nodal Ministry for the administration of the Fund shall be the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. (2) The Fund shall have its secretariat located in the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. (3) The Fund shall be administered by a Committee consisting of— (a) The Secretary in the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment who shall be the ex-officio Chairperson; (b) An official not below the rank of a Deputy Secretary to the Government of India, to be nominated by the Department of Financial Services – Member; (c) An official not below the rank of a Deputy Secretary to the Government of India, to be nominated by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare – Member; (d) An official not below the rank of a Deputy Secretary to the Government of India, to be nominated by the Ministry of Rural Development – Member; (e) An official not below the rank of a Deputy Secretary to the Government of India, to be nominated by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation – Member; (f) An official not below the rank of a Deputy Secretary to the Government of India, to be nominated by the Ministry of Labour and Employment-Member; (g) Officials not below the rank of a Deputy Secretary to the Government of India, to be nominated by the Ministry sponsoring the proposal and by other Ministries concerned with the specific proposal; (h) Financial Adviser, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment; (i) An official, not below the rank of Joint Secretary to the Government of India, to be, nominated by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment – Member Secretary; (4) The Committee shall meet at least twice a year. (5) The Committee shall take decision as to the utilisation of the amount in the Fund for the purposes specified in the rule 6.6 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART II—SEC. 3(i)] (6) The Committee shall provide Ministry-wise details of budgetary allocation required for the following financial year, to the Central Government in the Ministry of Finance: Provided that the allocations shall be made by the Ministry of Finance, keeping in view the estimated and absorptive capacity for the authorised purpose and to ensure the perpetuity of the Fund. (7) The Committee may regulate its rules of business, in addition to, and without prejudice to anything provided under these rules, for the conduct of its business. 5. Rate of interest.- The eligible rate of interest for the money lying in the Fund shall be determined and notified by the Central Government in the Ministry of Finance under sub-section (5) of the section 124 of the Act, on an annual basis. 6. Utilisation of Fund.— (1) The Fund Shall be utilised for such schemes for the promotion of the welfare of Senior citizens in line with the National Policy on Older Persons and the National Policy on Senior Citizens. (2) The schemes referred to in sub-rule (1) shall include— (a) schemes for promoting financial security of senior citizens, including but not limited to, old age pensions, long term saving instruments and employment in income generating activities; (b) schemes for promoting healthcare and nutrition of senior citizens, including but not limited to, affordable health care programs, mental health services, health insurance schemes, nutrition education programs and training and orientation in health care of senior citizens; (c) schemes for promoting welfare of elderly widows; (d) schemes related to old age homes, short stay homes and day care of senior citizens; (e) schemes related to education training and information needs of senior citizens; (f) schemes related to research activity on ageing and information systems on senior citizens; (g) any other scheme, with the approval of the Committee. (3) The sponsoring Ministry or the Department of the Government or the State Government concerned shall be responsible for the processing of the scheme, its monitoring and implementation: Provided that the proportion of the costs incurred towards the benefit of Senior Citizens only shall be funded from the proceeds of the Fund. (4) The Committee may issue detailed guidelines for the implementation of any scheme for the welfare of the Senior Citizens under these rules. 7. Publication of Information.— (1) Each institution shall, before crediting the unclaimed amount to the Fund, publish the information relating to accounts in which unclaimed deposits are lying, in the manner provided under this rule. (2) The Institution shall identify the unclaimed amounts and prepare a list of the accounts containing details of the unclaimed amount by the 30th day of September of each financial year. (3) The Institution shall try to contact each of the account holder of the unclaimed amount, by all reasonable means of communication, including written notice, e-mail and telephone, on at least two occasions, within a span of a period of sixty days. (4) The Institution shall display the list prepared under sub-rule (2) for the general information of the public, on the notice boards of the relevant offices and on the website of the Institution concerned for at least a period of sixty days, inviting claims, if any. 8. Annual Report.— (1) The nodal Ministry, referred to in rule 4, shall prepare an annual report by the 1st day of May, each year, for the activities undertaken in the previous financial year.¹Hkkx IIµ[k.M 3(i)º Hkkjr dk jkti=k % vlk/kj.k 7 (2) The nodal Ministry shall make arrangements for the approval of the annual report by the Committee within one month of its preparation. (3) The Annual report shall include the activities undertaken by the Committee, the schemes approved for funding, the major decisions of the committee, the schemes pending for approval and the details of the amounts credited and debited from the Fund. (4) The Committee may issue detailed guidelines for the preparation of the annual report. (5) The nodal Ministry shall make available the annual report on the website of the Ministry, after it is laid before the Parliament under sub-section (3) of section 127 of the Act. [F. No. 13/20/2014-NS. II] PRASHANT GOYAL, Jt. Secy. Uploaded by Dte. of Printing at Government of India Press, Ring Road, Mayapuri, New Delhi-110064 and Published by the Controller of Publications, Delhi-110054.

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